if you've been to italy.....

looking for recs for things i must see, things i must do and restaurants i must go to in rome, florence and on the amalfi coast for our HM

TIA!

went to italy and sicily but not to any of those places...sorry I am no help but you will have a GREAT time!!!!!!

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Posted by pipermaru

looking for recs for things i must see, things i must do and restaurants i must go to in rome, florence and on the amalfi coast for our HM

TIA!

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I'm taking the same HM. Looking forward to the tips!

I just typed this up for a friend of mine who went recently. i studied abroad in florence, i can definitely find other things for you to do, but this should cover it.


Shopping:
• Go to the outlets. You can either get a driver (the concierge at the hotel could help you do that) or take a train to Montevarcchi and then get a taxi to take you to the Prada outlet (it’s the only one not at “the mall”. Then get a taxi to take you to the mall. WELL WORTH IT! Gucci, Fendi, Balenciaga, Bottega Venetta, Todds, Feragamo, La Perla, etc… I know there is more… I can’t remember the rest. Go early. Prada opens at 9 and they only let it certain people at a time. You should be there before it opens and take a number from the machine (like at the Deli counter of the grocery store). They better things are there in the morning. Go to Prada first and then the mall. The prices everywhere are really good. Prada has the best deals.
• Via del Tournabouni (def spelt that wrong). All designer stores, basically 5th avenue of Florence
• Right by la Piazza del Signora there is a custom shoe store (I can’t find the name of the street). You will know it when you see it. It only takes one day to have them make it.
• They have great leather jackets in the Piazza in front of Santa Croce (the church with the Star of David on the top).
• Go to San Lorenzo Market.
• There is a leather store right by il Duomo. If you are waiting on the line to climb to the top of the cathedral—(which you really should do- don’t climb the bell tower though) and il Duomo is on your left, there are stores along a street to your right. There is a store called Tournabouni with really nice leather bags.
• On Vigna Nouva there are really cool stores too. (It is right by via del tournabouni). There is a store called Temporary and has adorable clutches and bags.
• On Via del Corso (Off Proconsolo) there is a sunglass store called Foto Locchi. Erika is the owner. They have the best stuff! I bought 2 pairs of sunglasses from her while I was there! They have a lot of new stuff that does not exist in America yet.
The Market - Za-za (see below) is right by the market so you can shop here, and then go there for lunch! There is a food market inside the outdoor shopping market. Go upstairs and there is a man with gray hair and sells dried fruit. The coconut and strawberries, are my favorite.
Food:
13 Gobi – go for dinner. Order the rigatoni Sorrentina. Its amazing and their specialty. But only if you like fresh mozz. B/c that is what the sauce is made of. And it is amazing. I miss it.
Oil Shoppe: Lunch place. Go between 12-1 otherwise they will not have any bread left. It is a sandwich place and you tell the guy behind the counter what you like and he makes you a sandwich and it is AMAZING! I can’t explain how to get there, ask someone at the hotel.
Il Latini—If you eat anywhere… this is the place. Go for dinner. They don’t have a menu. They bring you food.. and A LOT OF IT. Anitpasta, then soups and pasta, then meat, and then desert. It is 40 per person. So much wine. Make sure you ask for the dessert wine if they don’t bring it to you when you get dessert. I promise it is the best meal you will have ever.
Acqua al Due – Dinner also. This is my second favorite place to eat. Order the balsamic steak and the pasta sampler. And a bottle of the house red. I am a white wine drinker and all I drank is red for 4 months b/c it was amazing. Everywhere.
Za-Za is good for lunch. Order the ribolita. It is a bread vegetable soup, and it is soooo good!
Corona’s café has the best gelato. It is on Via del Corso and Calzouli (not spelt right but looks like that) right by piazza republica.
La Giostra – A little pricey, small and romantic, and delicious restaurant.
Sights: Piazza Republica is my favorite place in Florence. It has a carousel. (don’t go on the Carosel though). They always have a band playing or something. I love it there! And the arches…
Il Duomo – climb to the top. Don’t go into the bell tower, climb the actual duomo. The bell tower will probably chime while you are in there… enough said…
Don’t go to the bargello—waste of time unless you really like statues
Go see the david. Have the hotel make a reservation for the David and for the Uffizi.
La Piazza della Signora
Il Arno- Cross over the Ponte Vecchio They have jewelry stores lining it. Once you cross over there is a store called Moderna they have the BEST leather gloves.

rome
St. Peters -Sistine Chapel
Climb up St. Peter's Dome at the Vatican for stunning views of rome
Trevi fountain (make a wish, to go back to rome again)
Pantheon
Colosseum
Spanish Steps (shopping)

florence
uffizi gallerie (the david)
Ponte Vecchio (shopping)
the pig market (shopping)
climb to the top of Giotto's Tower Beautiful View
Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace

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Posted by pipermaru

looking for recs for things i must see, things i must do and restaurants i must go to in rome, florence and on the amalfi coast for our HM

TIA!

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OMG this is my honeymoon too!!!!!! How funny is that???? What hotels are you staying at?

Ditto to RAK220's post... I did a study aborad in Florence as well.
Especially to Il Latini. INCREDIBLE place to eat and just experience. Just let them bring the food to you.
Make sure when you're buying something at the markets or a stand that you haggle. Don't buy anything at the ticket price. They will go down in price. Start at half the price and go up a little from there.

OMG - Rachel you just took me on a trip down memory lane when I studied abroad in Florence! Za-Za and Acqua al due were my faves!! I'm so glad to hear they are still there!!!!

Me too!

A friend who recently visited sent me her itinerary with reviews of the restaurants they ate in... if you FM me your email address I can send it to you!